CHAPTER IV
THE MARRIED MAN'S PROBLEM
By this time the Master has come up to the northern verandah which runs east and west. He stands on that verandah close to His chamber with Narendra, Mani, and other disciples.
The Problem for the Householder.
The Master says repeatedly that God cannot be seen by one who does not possess Discrimination1 and Non-attachment.2
Mani who is 27 or 28 years old has received an English education. He is married and thinks to himself, 'Do these (Discrimination and Non-attachment) mean renunciation of the world like a Sanyasin—outward Renunciation of Woman and Gold?'
Mani (to the Master): Sir, what if the wife says to the husband, 'you are neglecting me; I shall commit suicide?'
Master (in a solemn, serious tone): A wife who stands in the way of her husband seeking God should be given up and left to her fate. It matters not even if she puts an end to her life. Let her do anything that she likes. A wife who stands in the way of the husband seeking God is an ungodly3 wife who leads to ignorance and spiritual death.
Mani is absorbed in deep thought and leans back against the wall, Narendra and other disciples stand speechless for a moment.
The Master is talking with them for a while. Suddenly he turns to Mani who is still in the same posture leaning back against the wall. He speaks these words to him aside:—'But the case is different with a person who has a sincere and genuine love for the Lord; everybody then comes under his control— kings, bad men, wife. The wife may even come round and follow in his foot-steps and walk in the path which leads to the Lord. If the husband sincerely loves the Lord, the wife may come under his control, be religious and help him in his struggle to attain eternal life.
1 Viveka.
2 Vairâgya.
3 Avidyâ.
Mani feels that the fire blazing up in his breast has been put out. He enjoys peace of mind once more.
Mani (to the Master): What a fearful place is the world!1
Master (to Mani, Narendra and others): The life of a worldly man is terrible, indeed! Chaitanya Deva once said to Nityânanda—
"Listen, listen, O my brother, For a worldly man there is hardly any hope of salvation."
(Aside to Mani): Hardly any hope of salvation for the worldly man who has lost sight of God. This does not apply to a person who sincerely loves the Lord. One who has realized the Lord can remain in the world and yet be fearless. Let such a person retire into solitude from time to time and thus attain sincere Devotion and Love to the Lord.
Well, such a person can remain in the world and yet be fearless. Chaitanya Deva had several householders, amongst his disciples. They were in the world but not of the world. They lived unattached to it.
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I Samsâra
It is about noon. The morning Service is over with the performance of the ceremony of waving the Lights, Holy Water, Flowers, &c. The Gods in the Temple will take their rest. The music which is being played, by the concert1 announces this. The Master sits at meat. Narendra and other disciples will also, like the Master, take their meals out of the sacred offerings presented to the Gods at the Temple and graciously accepted by Them.
1 Nahabat.